Container lid with push button operation

ABSTRACT

A container assembly having a lid with a push button actuator that opens the lid with a first push of the button and closes the lid with a second push of the button is provided. The lid assembly includes a lower member threadedly attachable to a container and an up member hingedly or rotatably attached to the lower member. The lower member includes a horizontal aperture therethrough. A button member may be received within the aperture which includes a main shaft that is engageable with the hinge member of the upper member above the pivot point to open the lid when the button is first pushed. The main shaft includes an axially-extending recess that receives a rod member. The rod member is slidably attached to the main shaft on one end, and engageable with one or more bosses on the other end that are located below the pivot point.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/803,676, filed Jun. 1, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to containers and lidstherefore. More specifically, the present invention relates tocontainers with a push button that opens and closes the lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different types of containers and lids for containers are known inthe art, yet despite the myriad of containers, problems with differentcontainers remain. One problem that remains is that containers forcondiments, food, and the like typically have a lid that is threadedlysecured to the jar, or have another type of lid that can be difficultfor some people to operate easily. While these containers may provide asecure attachment between the container and the lid, people with reducedstrength in their hands may not be able to open the container readily,or securely close the container when finished with the contents.

Some other containers may have easier access to the container contents,they do not provide a secure connection. As such, there is a need for acontainer that opens and closes easily yet still provides a secure sealof the contents when closed. As such, the present invention is herebypresented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of a container assembly may comprise a lid thatincludes a push button actuator that opens the lid with a first push ofthe button, and closes the lid with a second push of the button. The lidassembly may comprise a lower member threadedly attachable to acontainer and an up member hingedly or rotatably attached to the lowermember. The lower member may comprise a horizontal aperturetherethrough. A button member may be received within the aperture. Thebutton member may have a main shaft that is engageable with the hingemember of the upper member above the pivot point to open the lid whenthe button is first pushed. The main shaft may also include anaxially-extending recess that receives a rod member. The rod member maybe slidably attached to the main shaft on one end, and engageable withone or more bosses on the other end that are located below the pivotpoint. A spring may be located about the main shaft between a firstproximal point near the button and the proximal end of the rod member,such that when the button is pushed a second time after the upper lidmember is open, the spring provides an urging force on the rod member,which provides a force on the bosses located below the pivot point, tourge the upper lid member to close.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a container assembly, in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the circled portion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is side elevational view of the container assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a second cross-section view of a container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the circled portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the container assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the container assembly of FIG. 4,shown button assembly.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lower lid member.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the lower lid member of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lower lid member of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the lower lid member of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the circled “B” portion ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of an upper lid member.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the upper lid member of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the upper lid member of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the upper lid member of FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a second side elevational view of the upper lid member ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 18 is cross-sectional view of the upper lid member of FIG. 13.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a button member.

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the button member of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a top elevational view of the button member of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the button member of FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a second perspective view of a button member.

FIG. 24 is an end view of the button member of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the button member of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the button member of FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a rod member.

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the rod member of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of the rod member of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a second side elevational view of the rod member of FIG. 27.

FIG. 31 is an end view of the rod member of FIG. 27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a container with lidassembly 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. Lid assembly 10 may comprise lowerlid member 14, illustrated in FIGS. 8-11; upper lid member 16,illustrated in FIGS. 13-18; button assembly 30, illustrated in FIGS.19-26; and rod member 50, illustrated in FIGS. 27-31.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-12, lower lid member 14 may comprise agenerally cylindrical member that may include threads on a bottomportion to connect to a container 12. Alternatively, lower member 14 maybe selectively attached to container 12 by any of a plurality of othermechanisms known in the art without deviating from the scope of thepresent invention. Lower member 14 may additionally comprise a generallyhorizontal aperture 15 that receives button member 30 and rod member 50.

Lower lid member 14 may also include a notch 17 in an end opposite ofthe aperture orifice. The notch 17 may have opposing bosses 19 that faceeach other. Bosses 19 may provide one portion of an attachment mechanismbetween lower lid member 14 and upper lid member 16. As illustrated inFIGS. 13-18, upper lid member 16 may comprise a generally circular ordisk-like structure that can be sized and shaped to be complementary tothe upper surface of lower lid member 14. Obviously, the shape of lowerlid member 14 and upper lid member 16 can be adapted to the particularpreferences of each person and to the particular usage of the assembly.

As best illustrated in FIG. 13, upper lid member 16 may compriseconnecting member 18. Connecting member 18 is an example of oneembodiment that provides a rotatable connection between upper lid member16 and lower lid member 14. Connecting member 18 may comprise aplurality of apertures 20 that receive bosses 19 in the notch 17 oflower lid member 14, such that the apertures 20 and bosses 19 form arotational axis for the upper lid member 16.

As mentioned before, button member 30 is received in horizontal aperture15 in the lower lid member 14. Button member 30 may comprise one or moredetent, sprag, or catch members 44 that prevent the button from comingout of the aperture 15 once installed into the aperture 15. For example,detent members 44 may bias inward upon initial insertion of the buttonmember 30 into aperture 15, and then subsequently may snap intoengagement with a shoulder or other suitable surface inside aperture 15.

Button member 30 may also comprise a proximal button 32; a main shaft 34having a distal end 38; a pair of lateral, axially-extending grooves 36;and a pair of radially extending bosses or other projections 40 near theproximal end, as illustrated in FIG. 19. The grooves 36 may also beformed as a single elongated aperture transversely through the mainshaft 34. Grooves 36 may receive bosses 52 on rod member 50 (FIG. 27),as partially illustrated in FIG. 2. As such, rod 50 can preferablytranslate relative to main shaft 34 within the extent of grooves 36. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, main shaft 34 may be cantilevered from button 32,and spring 46 may surround main shaft 34. Spring 46 may be abuttedagainst or attached to bosses 40 on a proximal side, and againstproximal end 56 of rod 50. Therefore, when rod 50 translates axiallyrelative to main shaft 34, the spring 46 compresses, and when rod 50translates distally (i.e., toward end 38) spring 46 expands. Pursuant tothe spring action, when the button is pushed inward to open the upperlid member 16, the force of the spring 46 preferably returns the buttonto its original resting position.

The distal end 54 of rod 50 may abut bosses 22 on connector 18. Bosses22 are preferably located vertically below the rotational axis of theupper lid member 16 when the upper lid member 16 is closed. Distal end38 of main shaft 34 may be adjacent to a portion of the connector at apoint vertically above the rotational axis of the upper lid member 16when the upper lid member 16 is closed.

When the user pushes the button with the upper lid member 16 initiallyclosed, distal end 38 of main shaft 34 provides a force upon connectingmember 18 at a point 38 a vertically above the rotational axis of upperlid member 16. The force on rod 50 overcomes the spring force, and rod50 is translated proximally relative to main shaft 34. As the main shaftend 38 continues to apply direct force to the upper lid 16 at surface 38a above the rotational axis, the distal end 38 of main shaft 34 movesvertically upward and distally, partially due to the main shaft 34 beingcantilevered from button 32, and partially due to the angle betweensurfaces 38 a and 38 b on connector 18 urging the distal end 38 of mainshaft 34 upward during opening of upper lid 16. The angle between rod 50and main shaft 34 is also changing, in that the distal end of rod 50 isvertically higher when the upper lid 16 is opened versus the upper lidclosed. In other words, at the same time main shaft 34 is translating,rod 50 is translating relative to main shaft 34, and rod 50 rotatesabout an axis at its proximal end, such that the net effect is thatdistal end of rod 50 is vertically raised when the button is fullydepressed, which may provide an at least partially downward force onmain shaft 34.

When the button 32 is released, the spring 46 urges the button 30 backto its original position, and rod 50 translates back distally relativeto the main shaft 34 and may aid in moving the main shaft verticallydownward. As the button 32 is released and the main shaft 34 is biasedproximally, distal end 38 of main shaft is vertically lowered back tonear its original position. When the button 32 is pushed a second time,the distal end of main shaft 34 contacts the lid at a position 38 bvertically below the rotational axis or otherwise such that the lid isrotated in the opposite direction and therefore closed.

In short, when the upper lid 16 is closed and the button 32 is pushed toopen it, the distal end of main shaft 34 contacts the upper lid 16 at apoint above the rotational axis and is biased vertically upward as thebutton is fully pressed. When the button retracts, the distal end of themain shaft 34 lowers back down to near its original position. At thispoint, upon pressing the button a second time, the button contacts apoint of the upper lid 16 located vertically below its pivot point, anddue to the configuration, does not ride vertically upward when pressed.Therefore, the main shaft 34 closes the upper lid 16.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in this art, the precedingexamples are provided, not to limit or define the scope of the presentinvention, but to illustrate the nature of the present invention andpossible uses for the teachings of the present invention. These examplesmay be modified in many different ways while still obtaining thebenefits of the teachings of the present invention. While the inventionhas been described and illustrated, this description is by way ofexample only. Additional advantages will occur readily to those skilledin the art, who may make numerous changes without departing from thetrue spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is notlimited to the specific details, representative machines, andillustrated examples in this description. Accordingly, the scope of thisinvention is to be limited only as necessitated by the accompanyingclaims. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forthin the following claims.

1. A container comprising: a body with an opening; a lid connected tothe body to close the opening, the lid having an axis of rotation aboutwhich the lid moves between an open and closed position; and a buttonconnected with the lid and having a surface that contacts the lid abovethe rotational axis when the button is depressed with the lid in theclosed position and that contacts the lid below the rotational axis whenthe button is depressed with the lid in the open opposition.
 2. Thecontainer of claim 1 wherein the lid comprises a lower portion connectedto the body and an upper portion moveably connected to the lower portionabout the axis of rotation.
 3. The container of claim 2 wherein thebutton is moveably received in the lower portion of the lid.
 4. The lidof claim 3, wherein the distal end of the button contacts the lid at apoint above the rotational axis when the button is depressed with thelid in the closed position, and the distal end of the shaft contacts thelid at a point below the rotational axis when the button is depressedwith the lid in the open position.
 5. The lid of claim 4, wherein thebutton further comprises an axially-extending groove, and the lidfurther comprises a rod having a boss on a proximal end extending intothe groove, such that the rod is translatable within the groove relativeto the button.
 6. The lid of claim 5, wherein the rod engages a boss onthe distal end of the button such that an angle between the rod and thebutton changes when the lid is moved from the closed position to theopen position.
 7. A lid for sealing a container comprising: a buttonhaving a shaft with a proximal end and a free distal end; an upper lidmember having a connecting member; and a lower lid member forming agenerally horizontal aperture which surrounds the shaft and a notchwhich is movably connected with the connecting member.
 8. The lid ofclaim 7 further comprising a biasing member for biasing the buttonmember in a resting position.
 9. The lid of claim 7 further comprising arod member received by the horizontal aperture, wherein a proximal endof the rod member engages grooves formed in the shaft, and wherein adistal end of the rod member engages a first boss on the connectingmember such that an angle between the rod member and shaft changes whenthe upper lid member is moved from a closed position to an openposition.
 10. The lid of claim 9, wherein the notch includes a secondboss which is rotationally connected with an aperture formed in theconnecting member, and wherein the second boss and aperture rotate abouta rotational axis.
 11. The lid of claim 10, wherein the distal end ofthe shaft contacts the upper lid member at a point above the rotationalaxis when the button is depressed with the upper lid member in a closedposition, and the distal end of the shaft contacts the upper lid memberat a point below the rotational axis when the button is depressed withthe upper lid member in an open position.
 12. The lid of claim 10,wherein the first boss is located vertically below the rotational axis.13. The lid of claim 7, wherein the lower lid member includes anattachment mechanism for removably connecting the lower lid member withthe container.
 14. A lid for sealing a container comprising: an upperlid member having a connecting member; a lower lid member which ismovably connected with the connecting member; and a button memberengaging the upper lid member, wherein depressing the button with theupper lid member in a closed position moves the upper lid member to anopen position, and wherein depressing the button with the upper lidmember in the open position moves the upper lid member to the closedposition.
 15. The lid of claim 14 further comprising a biasing memberfor biasing the button member in a resting position.
 16. The lid ofclaim 14 further comprising a rod member received by a horizontalaperture formed in the lower lid, wherein a proximal end of the rodmember engages grooves formed in a shaft of the button member, andwherein a distal end of the rod member engages a first boss on theconnecting member such that an angle between the rod member and shaftchanges when the upper lid member is moved from a closed position to anopen position.
 17. The lid of claim 16, wherein the lower lid memberforms a notch which includes a second boss that is rotationallyconnected with an aperture formed in the connecting member, and whereinthe second boss and aperture rotate about a rotational axis.
 18. The lidof claim 17, wherein the distal end of the shaft contacts the upper lidmember at a point above the rotational axis when the button is depressedwith the upper lid member in a closed position, and the distal end ofthe shaft contacts the upper lid member at a point below the rotationalaxis when the button is depressed with the upper lid member in an openposition.
 19. The lid of claim 17, wherein the first boss is locatedvertically below the rotational axis.
 20. The lid of claim 14, whereinthe lower lid member includes an attachment mechanism for removablyconnecting the lower lid member with the container.